AP SPACE is pleased to present Blooming Essence, a solo exhibition by renowned Korean contemporary artist Yoon Byung-Rock.
The exhibition will be held from March 6 to March 27, 2025, at AP SPACE New York City.
Yoon Byung-Rock’s apple paintings challenge the boundaries between illusion and reality.
His work employs unconventional perspectives, such as a bird’s-eye view, life-size scaling, and shaped canvases that echo the form of his subjects.
These formal strategies dissolve the distinction between the painted image and tangible reality, evoking a sense of material presence akin to the works of Frank Stella and the Supports/Surfaces movement.
By incorporating elements such as newspapers, National Geographic magazines, and book pages, Yoon shifts the meaning of the apple from a symbol of richness to one of desire, introducing socio-political and philosophical dimensions.
A key distinction from Yoon is his treatment of the apple’s reality.
Yoon’s apples are embedded in contextual environments—piled in boxes or placed in arrangements that simulate their real-world existence. This “situational appeal” reinforces their physicality, creating an experiential dimension that extends beyond visual representation.
About the Artist
A leading figure in Korean contemporary art, Yoon Byung-Rock captures the beauty of
nature with a realistic yet sensuous style, delivering a profound resonance in viewers.
Born in 1968 in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yoon Byung-Rock majored in Western
painting at Kyungpook National University, where he also completed his graduate
studies. Emerging from Daegu, a city renowned for its strong tradition of figurative art,
Yoon dedicated himself to mastering the art of representation.
His exceptional skill anddedication were recognized early in his career when he was awarded the Special Prize atthe Korea National Art Exhibition and the Grand Prize at the 18th Daegu Art Exhibition.
For Yoon, the apple is more than a simple motif—it embodies nostalgia and a deep
emotional connection to his roots. Infused with a sense of warmth and joy, his paintings
evoke a universal sentiment, inviting viewers to share in the happiness and familiarity
that the apple represents.
Blooming Essence is on view until March 27, 2025, at AP SPACE located at 555 W. 25th Street in New York City.
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